Vilazodone

Antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or actions in children, teenagers, and young adults. However, depression and certain other mental problems may also increase the risk of suicide. Talk with the patient's doctor to be sure that the benefits of using vilazodone outweigh the risks.

Families and caregivers must closely watch patients who take vilazodone. It is important to keep in close contact with the patient's doctor. Tell the doctor right away if the patient has symptoms like worsened depression, suicidal thoughts, or changes in behavior. Discuss any questions with the patient's doctor.

Vilazodone is used for:

Treating depression. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Vilazodone is an antidepressant. It is thought to work by increasing the activity of one of the brain chemicals (serotonin), which helps elevate mood.

Do NOT use vilazodone if:

you are allergic to any ingredient in vilazodone or to nefazodone

you are taking or have taken linezolid or a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) (eg, phenelzine) within the last 14 days

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Slideshow: Depression, the Risk of Suicide, and Treatment Options

Before using vilazodone:

Some medical conditions may interact with vilazodone. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding

if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement

if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances

if you have low blood volume, low blood pressure, or low blood sodium levels; you are dehydrated; or you are on a low-salt (sodium) diet

if you or a family member has a history of bipolar disorder (manic-depression) or other mental or mood problems (eg, depression), suicidal thoughts or attempts, alcohol or substance abuse, or if you drink alcohol

if you have a history of liver problems, kidney problems, bleeding problems, increased eye pressure or glaucoma, or seizures

if you are taking a medicine that contains methylene blue

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with vilazodone. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if vilazodone may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use vilazodone:

Use vilazodone as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

Vilazodone comes with an extra patient information sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it carefully. Read it again each time you get vilazodone refilled.

Take vilazodone by mouth with food.

When starting vilazodone, your doctor may slowly increase your dose to avoid side effects. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.

It may take 1 to 4 weeks for vilazodone to work. Do not stop taking vilazodone without checking with your doctor.

Do not suddenly stop taking vilazodone. You may have an increased risk of side effects. If you need to stop vilazodone, your doctor will gradually lower your dose.

If you miss a dose of vilazodone, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use vilazodone.

Important safety information:

Vilazodone may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or blurred vision. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use vilazodone with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.

Do not drink alcohol while you are using vilazodone.

Check with your doctor before you use medicines that may cause drowsiness (eg, sleep aids, muscle relaxers) while you are using vilazodone; it may add to their effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness.

Be sure to keep all doctor appointments while you are taking vilazodone.

Children, teenagers, and young adults who take vilazodone may be at increased risk of suicidal thoughts or actions. Watch all patients who take vilazodone closely. Contact the doctor at once if new, worsened, or sudden symptoms, such as depressed mood; anxious, restless, or irritable behavior; panic attacks; or any unusual change in mood or behavior, occur. Contact the doctor right away if any signs of suicidal thoughts or actions occur.

Serotonin syndrome is a possibly fatal syndrome that can be caused by vilazodone. Your risk may be greater if you take vilazodone with certain other medicines (eg, "triptans," MAOIs). Symptoms may include agitation; confusion; hallucinations; coma; fever; fast or irregular heartbeat; tremor; excessive sweating; and nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Contact your doctor at once if you have any of these symptoms.

Certain antidepressants, including vilazodone, may increase the risk of bleeding. Sometimes, bleeding can be life-threatening. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.

Some people may be at risk for eye problems from vilazodone. Your doctor may want you to have an eye exam to see if you are at risk for these eye problems. Call your doctor right away if you have eye pain, vision changes, or swelling or redness in or around the eye.

Tell your doctor or dentist that you take vilazodone before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.

Use vilazodone with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially low blood sodium levels.

PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Vilazodone may cause harm to the fetus if taken during the third trimester of pregnancy. If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of taking vilazodone while you are pregnant. Vilazodone is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you take vilazodone, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Do not suddenly stop taking vilazodone. If you do, you may have WITHDRAWAL symptoms. These may include feeling unwell or unhappy, anxious or irritable, dizzy, confused, or sluggish. You may also have nausea, unusual skin sensations, mood swings, headache, trouble sleeping, or sweating. If you need to stop vilazodone, your doctor will lower your dose over time.

Possible side effects of vilazodone:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Diarrhea; dizziness; dry mouth; nausea; trouble sleeping; vomiting.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately.

Proper storage of vilazodone:

Store vilazodone at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep vilazodone out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

If you have any questions about vilazodone, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Vilazodone is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.

If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take vilazodone or any other medicine. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to decide which medicines are right for you. This information does not endorse any medicine as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. This is only a brief summary of general information about vilazodone. It does NOT include all information about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to vilazodone. This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about the risks and benefits of using vilazodone.

Disclaimer: This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take this medicine or any other medicine. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to decide which medicines are right for you. This information does not endorse any medicine as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. This is only a brief summary of general information about this medicine. It does NOT include all information about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to this medicine. This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. You must talk with your healthcare provider for complete information about the risks and benefits of using this medicine.

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